STONE-CURLEW.
(EBICNEMUS CREPITANS.
So many different names nro given to this species by writers on British ornithology that it is somewhat
difficult to decide on the most appropriate title to bestow upon it. As tbo Stone-Curlew, it is referred to
by Tarrell, Seebolon, Dresser, and Stevenson, while Hancock, Morris, Gray, Knox, Tliompson, and tbo
inimitable Bewick call it the Great Plover. In Guuld's magnificently illustrated work on the 'Birds of Great
Britain' it is described with a more imposing appellation as the Thick-kneed Bustard, and the persevering
Highlander, William Ma eg ill Bray, writes of it under the heading of the Stone Thick-knee. Several of
these naturalists add the name of Norfolk Plover, and C. J. and James Paget, in their ' Sketch of the Natural
History of Yarmouth and its Neighbourhood,'published in 18S4, make the foUowing observation concerning
this species:—" (ICdicnomus crepitans, common (hicl-kiiec, Xor/a/I: plover—rarely met with here." The Rev.
Richard Lubbock, in his ' Observations on the Fauna of Norfolk,' issued in ISIS, gives a short account that
appears to have escaped the notice of aB other writers, and may consequently prove interesting to the readers of
' Bough Notes :'—" I should have mentioned a bird immediately after I spoke of the Bustard, which is very
local in its habits, and being as plentiful in parts of our eouuty as anywhere in England, has obtained the
name of NORFOLK PLOVUU,—the general term is STONE CUKLEW (Cliaradrius estHeuemiia). In comparison with
the numbers of these birds which are seen congregated in autumn, they appear very scarce throughout the
summer. The open heaths and very Large fields adj.lining an' their favourite haunts. The young follow their
parents when full grown, and the strongest attachment seems to subsist between them. One was shot this
last summer in an open field near my house, and being only slightly wounded in the pinion, was run down
with some difficulty, brought home alive, and turned into a walled garden. Next morning at sunrise,
according to habit, the prisoner was very clamorous, uttering its peculiar cry repeatedly for about an hour.
When the servants rose, a young bird was observed in the courtyard, within a Caw yards of the house, pacing
backwards and forwards under the garden wall, which must have come either through an open doorway or
through a thick clipped fence; for, though nearly full grown, its powers of flight seemed imperfectly
developed. Bepeated attempts were made for hours to take it, which it eluded by swiftness of foot, and hid
itself among the shrubs, returning again to the waB as soon as disturbance ceased. At last, by careful
watching, it was driven into a corner and secured. Being turned into the garden, it seemed delighted to rejoin
the parent, whose cry must have brought it nearly half a mile. The most singular part of the affair was, that,
as the day advanced, the Plover in the garden was totally silent; but this had no effect in causing its young
one to leave the place; having once discovered the place of captivity.it seemed defcrmiued to share the
prison at all hazards. Mr. Paget, as his catalogue has reference to the vicinity of Yarmouth, justly notes
this bird as rare; but towards The! ford and S waff ha in, where the country is open, it is abundant. It may
be observed in parties of from SO to 100 before its migration. The greatest allurement to them is an
extensive new plantation made in the open country, aud on the Improved plan uf double trenching the